Is it possible to change the text editor in the IDE. I Really like notepad++ and use it to write sketches, that I then have to load into the IDE to verify or perhaps a similar dual pane text editor. Notepad++ will format C and C++ files properly, I believe or at least it looks so. I think it could be configured to read keyword files as well.

Doc

--> WA7EMS "The solution of every problem is another problem." -Johann Wolfgang von GoetheI do answer technical questions PM'd to me with whatever is in my clipboard

Did you check under Preferences for options?I personally have no problem writing in the IDE. I like the use of colored commands, the way it helps with identifying closing ) and }s, etc.Autoformat spreads some things out a little funny sometimes, but it's consistent about how it does it.

I agree with you completely, the text editor is a good tool, well adapted or created for the IDE. Notepad++ just has a slightly better one, especially for Cut 'n Paste actions. It is also a Programmers Text Editor, free and GNU Tuu. It can be 'formatted' for any language's formatting requirements.... Tuu... Now IF... it would offer split screen editing it would be a great learning tool... Tuu IMO

Doc...

--> WA7EMS "The solution of every problem is another problem." -Johann Wolfgang von GoetheI do answer technical questions PM'd to me with whatever is in my clipboard

In case you didn't see it, there is an option in the preferences to enable "external editor."

I found that once I moved away from the IDE, I also started setting up make files so I could run the avr-gcc process external from the IDE all together. Now I only use the IDE to do something real-quick or test a forum user's code.

No Jim? ok? I didn't see that, I will look though as I always have notepad++ open and as you probably know, it's not only Free it is Very customizable ... Has C and C++ formatting native. I am wondering if you have a script template or batch file one you are using for the Arduino and Mega compilation process that I could get from you to setup and run either as a Batch file or... One last question. I have the Processing release is it worth my time to go on that side journey?. What I know about C and C++ could right now be legibly written on the head of a small pin, I am learning but sometimes it's a slow process...Thank You sir for answering so quickly and ably.

Doc

--> WA7EMS "The solution of every problem is another problem." -Johann Wolfgang von GoetheI do answer technical questions PM'd to me with whatever is in my clipboard

I am wondering if you have a script template or batch file one you are using for the Arduino and Mega compilation process that I could get from you to setup and run either as a Batch file or

Unfortunately, I am on a Mac so I doubt any of my files would help you. However, I reverse engineered the avr-gcc command line from watching the verbose output from the IDE *and* an Eclipse setup article.

... One last question. I have the Processing release is it worth my time to go on that side journey?. What I know about C and C++ could right now be legibly written on the head of a small pin, I am learning but sometimes it's a slow process.

I have only used Processing by running someone else's code. My understanding is that Processing is Java-based. Where the Arduino-IDE is C++ based. So far, I haven't had a project which requires Processing's capabilities so I haven't taken any time to learn it.

Like you, my C/C++ knowledge is limited, so I like focusing on increasing that skill.

Wow, That Sir is a lot of learning... I skimmed it briefly and didn't notice any references to Windoze??? or is it something I must figure out. During my working years there was never enough time to learn other working Os's besides enough windows to "Get By". I remember Windows one, Two and Three and I always Wonder if Gates was on drugs when he allowed those offerings of offal to get to market. Win 3.11 was the only one that would boot 10 times out of 10. I digress again (something about being old or an only child.... never figgered that one out). As it was pointed out in the text there are several shortcomings in the Arduino IDE that have to be there for the IDE to be a useful tool for a beginner... My official title is Rank Beginner so I have some more learning to do and I do hope I don't exceed the scope of this forum by asking here... Later, Much later I think. C is difficult enough as I have a difficult time studying from a monitor, something I think about not being easy to flip between sections to get more detail on what I am trying to wrap my around the head of the issue and problem the answer. Seriously I am one of those people who learn best in a very quiet atmosphere and the WC is the most quiet and private place I own. Books are unfortunately expensive even used ones and the only one I own (paperback) is an old book on C++ Great but I think I need to be familiar with C first before I really can learn C++. I learned enough basic to write what I needed to test the devices I designed in the 90's and 00's and I think it is an issue as looking at a function I can almost understand it then I see that punctuation and realize that it is part of the language and not what you do at the end of a sentence. All of this to say that it goes much more slowly than I like but it goes nevertheless.

Thank You for the very useful (someday, soon I hope) useful information and be assured... I'lll be Baaack For more.

Doc

--> WA7EMS "The solution of every problem is another problem." -Johann Wolfgang von GoetheI do answer technical questions PM'd to me with whatever is in my clipboard

Unfortunately, I am on a Mac so I doubt any of my files would help you. However, I reverse engineered the avr-gcc command line from watching the verbose output from the IDE *and* an Eclipse setup article.

http://arduino.cc/playground/Code/Eclipse

I've developed a modular set of makefiles for Arduino.

I use them with Xcode, the official IDE on Mac OS X. I wrote a template called embedXcode.